Senate Turns Down Roland Burris

Blagojevich's Appointee Says He Is Looking At Options For Getting Seat After Rejection On Capitol Hill

(CBS/AP)  Roland Burris announced Tuesday he was rejected for Barack Obama's Senate seat, in a bizarre rainy-day scene on the Capitol grounds as lawmakers awaited the gaveling of the 111th Congress into session.

Standing amid a huge throng of reporters and television cameras in a cold and steady rain, Burris, 71, declared that he had been informed that "my credentials are not in order and will not be accepted."

The former Illinois attorney general said he was "not seeking to have any type of confrontation" over taking the seat that he was appointed to by embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich. But Burris also said he was looking at options for taking the seat.

"Mr. Burris is not in possession of the necessary credentials from the state of Illinois," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada later said in his speech opening the new session of Congress.

It was a spectacular demonstration of political gridlock at a time when the Democratic-controlled Congress has been eagerly awaiting Mr. Obama's inauguration while nervously anticipating tense work on a much-discussed stimulus program to steady the faltering economy.

An attorney for Burris, Timothy W. Wright III, said that "our credentials were rejected by the secretary of the Senate. We were not allowed to be placed in the record books. We were not allowed to proceed to the floor for purposes of taking oath. All of which we think was improperly done and is against the law of this land. We will consider our options and we will certainly let you know what our decisions will be soon thereafter."

Asked what his options were, Wright said there possibly could be a court challenge and he said that Burris also would continue to talk to the Senate leadership.

There had been earlier indications that the Senate would disallow Burris to take his seat, at least in part because his letter of appointment from Blagojevich was not co-signed by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.

Some of Burris' supporters have bemoaned the fact that Democrats would stand in the way of the Senate gaining its only black member. Burris himself downplayed the issue of race, telling reporters: "I cannot control my supporters. I have never in my life, in all my years of being elected to office, thought anything about race."

Earlier Tuesday, Burris had tense negotiations with Terrence Gainer, the Senate's sergeant at arms.

On CBS' The Early Show this morning, Burris dismissed his critics, saying his appointment by the scandal-plagued governor is valid.

"They're causing the drama, my appointment is legal. Are you saying there is something wrong with me? I'm qualified," Burris, who was the first African-American elected to statewide office and was the former Illinois attorney general, said. (Watch the video)

"There's nothing wrong with Roland Burris and there's nothing wrong with the appointment," Burris said.

In his defense, Burris, 71, pointed to Blagojevich's decision Monday to hold an election for a successor to Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., Mr. Obama's chief of staff. Burris said it proves the embattled governor still has legal authority to carry out his duties.

"As I read the U.S. Constitution," Burris said, it says the "governor shall fill a vacancy, and as a former attorney general of my state, I have no knowledge of where a secretary of state has veto power over a governor carrying out his constitutional duties."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Monday that Burris cannot take his seat because he "has not been certified by the state of Illinois." Additionally, Senate Democrats say Burris' appointment is tainted because of the charges Blagojevich faces.

Burris has threatened to sue Senate Democrats if they do not swear him in as the chamber's only black member.

[clancy49]

Burris isn''t any more corrupt than any other seated Senator State or Federal. Let the man in and get his piece of decadent pie.

[antoniof123]

What is this guy thinking the days of race are over. Obama saw to that and thank you for that one because he was the best for the job.

Now send this guy packing home if the new governor wants to appoint him then so be it.

[platteman]

I find this really pathetic. Congress has the lowest rating ever, now they are acting like kids in the school yard, you can''t play with us because your not our color, have the "right credentials", etc, etc, etc.
Congress, get a life, do something other than complain about what some nut job govenor did and get to work doing the people''s work, not your own narccisist gratification of "how great we are!!"

[matrixrx2003]

Just more Waste of Time Drama the Senate and House needs to get to Work and quit wasting time and tax payers dollars on this kind of kid krap.

[edward1975-2009]

DaVicar3: His appointment wasn''t legal, nothing racial about it, the Secretary of State did not sign the forms, and by the way he is black, race had not a thing too do with this. Nice try though.

[debinok1]

Anyone appointed by Blagojevich is going to be questionable. Burris may be more than qualified but the taint of Blagojevich is there. How is anyone to know if money changed hands or not. This is the wisest move given the current chaos around Blagojevich.

[rrozsa-2009]

Another case of the black man being compressed, the boot of Tim Crow is around his neck, Lex Luthor King`s Dream is still denied. Malcolm XI must be rolling over in his grave! 600 years in the belly of a slaveship, and the Good-Ole-Boy Senate still refuses to recognize the American Africans as anything more than 3/5ths of a vote.

----------------------Posted by DaVicar3 at 11:34 AM : Jan 06, 2009
===========================

As you well know, no one has said it''s because he''s black -- It''s because he was appointed by Blago, who is still under investigation for his illegal pay-to-play activities. You''re just race-baiting the forum.

[newsreader14]

I''m embarrassed to admit that I''m from Illinois. And I do not want this guy speaking for me in the US Senate. He''s the one perpetuating the drama by refusing to act like an adult. If he truly believes he''s the right person for the job, he won''t mind if someone besides a corrupt governor decides so. But his actions during this debacle tell me that not only is he the WRONG man for the job, but also that he realizes his one and only chance of ever getting into the senate is to ride the coat tails of an ego-centric politician who decided to slap democracy in the face. This isn''t about race (our Secretary of State who is refusing to acknowledge his appointment is African-American). It''s about someone who is being played by Blagojevich refusing to let himself BE played. All the attention created by this pre-school drama diverts attention from Blago -- which is exactly what he intended by playing this pawn.

[perceptions5]

Wow ! ..........De Ja Vu.......................

The Democrats turning away a Black American.

Reminds of us of when the Democrat Party rule the South and the Blacks there from 1860''s to the 1960''s not to mention the illegal milita the Dems started to control Blacks in the South, the KKK.

Yep, Democrats still at it only this time instead of turning away Black children from all white schools now their turning them away from serving in Congress................sad

[gangesdak]

"I do not have any political experience. I seldom voted in my life. But I am a woman and a Kenndy. Give me the job of US senate." "Oh yes".
"I have years of experience as the Attorney General of the fifth largest state. Can I have the job of a US senator"? "No"

[evian_ycnan]

Wow! This was illegal. Article I Section 5 is clear, very clear, on the process by which they can pass judgement on his credentials. He can be removed by a 2/3 majority.

THIS WAS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACT

And, I''m a Democrat. Harry Reid may have set himself up for a Republican impeachment.

[spiritwalk]

Let''s compare.

Burris was appointed by Blagojevich who was asking for
a personal payoff for filling the senate seat.

Caroline Kennedy is going to be appointed by Paterson because she will bring in $100 million to the NY Democratic Party.

What is the difference you ask?

Paterson will get his campaign money out of this in a check from the Democratic Party.

Blagojevich just wanted the check made out to him personally.

Both senate seats were up for sale and both governors want proceeds from the sale. The only reason paterson is not in trouble is because he is getting the money laundered through the party first.

Either both are guilty of corruption or neither. Either both Burris and Kennedy get seated or neither.
Either we all smarten up or just give up and let all the senate seats go to the highest bidder.

[cbsnews55]

Once again, because American politics are more about popularity rather than about REAL issues...

the people of America lose!

Roland Burris is of the best selections a Gov. of any state could make to fill Obama''s no vacant Senate seat.

[cbsnews55]

this is ridiculous and only demonstrates that the democrats have become as corrupted by power as the repubs. who the h*ll is harry reid to decide that a fellow senator legally appointed by a sitting governor is not to be ''''seated.'''' meanwhile, obviously ONLY interested in whose got the most money to campaign in 2010 in these states, not who''''s the best qualified. what an *sshole.

Posted by ccfsdca at 12:00 PM : Jan 06, 2009

What''s ridiculous is how many people George Bush is responsible for murdering in Iraq, and he''ll never spend a day behind bars for it.

That''s ridiculous!

[ramos937]

Regardless of what happened before, Blago made a valid legal appointment. Sec. White should be made by the court to do his job and certify Burris. There is no evidence that Burris paid anyone for this seat. After the court action, Burris has to be seated.

[rafterman1]

===Yep, Democrats still at it only this time instead of turning away Black children from all white schools now their turning them away from serving in Congress................sad===
Posted by perceptions5

And if the Dems accepted him, you would be ranging about Dems accepting a tainted appontment. As usual, you''re laughable.

But nope. CONSERVATIVES are still at it. Doesn''t matter whether racists called themselves Dems in the 1960''s or Repubs now in 2009. The racists and hate mongers were always and will always be CONSERVATIVES, regardless what party they belonged to.

[rushlimpdrug]

Roland Burris is skum.

Go way old man.

You are part of the "machine"
stop trying to fool everyone into
thinking you are soooo innocent.

[dubya_luvr]

Hooray for common sense!

Sorry, Burris, but you''ll have to ask for a refund for that Senate seat.

[dubya_luvr]

Posted by txgrouch2008 at 12:14 PM : Jan 06, 2009

Stop cross-posting, n00b. This discussion isn''t about tariffs.

Silly Neocons...

[rosesnpearls]

Some people have no shame and no sense of when to back off. He is acting like some low class criminal trying to gate-crash a private board meeting or party. Quit being so pathetically desperate to be ''somebody''. Quit looking as desperate as Jesse Jackson. If the only way to get there is by humiliating yourself, your state and the noble cause, then is it really worth it? Good grief.

[jumkey]

Yes, this is clearly illegal. When did we become a nation that allowed politicians decide which law to follow? Oh yeah, Jan 20 2001.

Blagojevich hasn''t been convicted of anything, he is legally entitled to appoint a successor and Burns is qualified.

The Republicans have created an environment where no one can follow the rules, even if they want to, and this lawlessness has seeped down into every part of American life.

[nikosk11]

Meanwhile, he''''ll let franken, who - like hussein - stole an election with ACORN voter fraud, slither-in the back door!

These loony-left d-crats sure know how to live up to their party''''s jackas* symbol.

Posted by LoonyLeft at 12:16 PM : Jan 06, 2009

We love our party''s symbol. What is better, having a piece of elephant or a piece of a$$??? You tell me.

Oh what a sore looser you are. It hurts loosing the White House, the Senate, the House, the trust of the American people. But you know, Republiscums brought this to themselves. All these years you danced to the tune of the Bush/Chenney junta. Now, is time to pay the fiddler. LOOSERS.

[samthetvcat]

I wish they''d just hold a special election and get this story off the news . . . it''s so unseemly . . .

[spinproof]

Illinois Gov. Blagojevich first offered Pres.-elect Obama''s vacant Senate Seat to Danny K. Davis, a Democratic representative and longtime Black leader. Clearly understanding and appreciating the political and legal climate surrounding Gov. Blagojevich, Mr. Davis wisely turned down the offer. Unable to use Rep. Danny K. Davis for his hidden agenda and to thumb his nose at his arrest and ongoing investigation, Gov. Blagojevich decided to pick and use someone who would respond to his ill advised offer, someone who would jump at the offer, enter Roland Burris who as a former Attorney General should know better than to get mixed up in Blagos legal mess and who so far has shown bad judgement by accepting the shady offer and who has embarrassed himself by not only being turned away by the U.S. Senate but also by not even being aware of not being Gov. Blagojevich''s first choice. Mr. Danny K. Davis made the correct choice by turning down Blago''s offer which actually was a no brainer.

[jfrance5]

Will you people please stop trying to find any little reason to play the race card? Isn''t it time to move on? We ALL put Obama in the presidency because we felt he was the right person. So stop with it already. This guy is bad news. You don''t try to ride into office on a proven corrupt politican''s coat tails. Blago isn''t the only one by a long shot, but he is so full of himself that he stuck his foot in his mouth so deeply that they are probably going to have to extract if from another opening. I''ve been around politicans all of my life and I''ve yet to meet one that doesn''t have something green and slimey in a closet somewhere. Most of them are just smart enough not not to wave it around like a flag. He still thinks he is going to talk his way out of this. And believe me, he will deposit bs by the trucload to try. After all we are the "little" people and aren''t as smart as he is. The congress is already one stuffed clown car. There is no more room for another hiney in the seat.

[carolann47-2009]

It is sad to see the state of affairs of American politics. My first thought is to say it is the American people who pay the price, but after coming to the internet late in life (61)and viewing the comments made on news stories of great importance, I see why we have the backbiting government that we do have. Most comments out there are just rude rampages between members of the Dems and the GOP. Our government really does reflect who we are.

[shortestfuse]

WHHEEEEEEEE! What fun!

[xlib]

I just love when history repeats itself. What we have here is a WHITE DEMOCRATIC politican blocking the entry of a BLACK person. It is so much fun to watch this soap opera unravel.
George Wallace has/had nothing on harry reid, absolutely nothing.
While I am a conservative I totally support thie appointment. AND, I do have a right to voice that opinion.
The dems profess to uphold the contitution and have slammed Bush for 8 years saying how he trashed our constitution.
Burris was duly put in the senate by a sitting governor. If you dems don''t have the intestinal fortitude to FORCE blago out of office then you have to deal with his actions.Burris is within his rights to take that seat.
If this were a Republican I could just imagine the outrage.
This is fun!!

[sincity_q]

I''d hate to see a new presidency begun tainted under Blogo''s picks for the Senate. For the good of all, this man should be removed an then, after a thorough process that is open and without doubt, a new senator selected... though ''elected'' would be preferable.

This has nothing to do with race, political parties or his shoe size. But if this IS going to be a new start for America, the last thing we need is to open it wondering about the legality and honesty of one of its members.

[fedup_w_pols-2009]

Has he agreed to only vote PRESENT if seated in the senate? That would be a real replacement for Obama. Then in 4 years not just 2 as a Senator he can run as the first 100% black dude for President. Makes perfect sense to me lol.

Face it no matter who you get if they come from Illinois and are existing politicians your guaranteed to be getting a crook. Whats one more crook when you already have 99 others seated?

[marcodele]

Only a truly delusional right wing neocon nutjob could post "Democrats Going Down!" after a landslide victory in the Presidential race and an overwhelming majority victory in the House and Senate.

Of course, we knew they were delusional, didn''t we?
After all, they supported the Village Idiot for eight years.

[downstateill]

Regardless of what people outside Chicago think, Burris is part of the Bleepovich coterie. He donated consistenly to Bleepovich''s campaign and his company received contracts from the state by way of the governor. This is also the man who lost the 1998 primary because he said the other candidates for office were "unqualified white guys." Unlike Mr. Obama, who puts the people first, Burris and Bleepovich are all about themselves. And shame on the Illinois General Assembly who could have stopped this farse but couldn''t come to agreement because one party or the other would benefit. The saddest thing about Illinois is not its corruption,it''s that our politicians have forgotten Lincoln''s concept of government "of the people, by the people, and for the people."

[rafterman1]

===Spitzer - Blago - Sanders - Richardson - Burris===
Posted by txgrouch2008 at 12:54 PM : Jan 06, 2009

The Republican list is ten times as long.

[quickly101]

Gov. Bluko, get the picture?

[yellow651]

Blacks in this country will never reach equality until they stop blaming everything that happens to them on race. This is clearly based on democrat politics in Chicago, not race, grow up.

[rafterman1]

===Dems CATCHIN'''' UP!!!!!===
Posted by txgrouch2008

After 12 of the last 14 years of Repub Congressional control, the last eight years with a Repub president, and most of the judicial nominated by Repubs, the Dems will have to be in power a very long time to catch up to the Repub free-for-all the last 14 years.

[logansprings]

Even before the Obama regime takes office, corruption and scandal rears its ugly head.

But, not much more could be expected from a politician who owes his position to Chicago-style politics.

And, before anyone whines about Obama not being closely tied to Blagojevich, remember that Obama endorsed Blagojevich...not just once, but twice.

And, we still have much to learn about the Bill Richardson scandal and its connections to the Obama regime.

By the way, just who created the "Office of the President Elect?" I can''t seem to find the "Office" provided for anywhere in the Constitution.

[rafterman1]

===There are more bad democrats in Illinois alone than there are bad Republicans in the entire country.===
Posted by keystonebull

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Oh, wait. You''re serious.

Let me laugh HARDER.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[nycsense]

So perceptions5,

What you''re saying is that they should give Burris the senate seat because he''s black? Shouldn''t it be because he''s the right man for the job? We just elected a black man not because of his color, but because he is the best and the brightest America had to offer.

[assemblyofso]

This guy is getting a bum rap. He is more qualified to be a senator than Obama is to be president.

I am amazed lighting did not strike Harry Reid when he said the appointment was tainted. Everything Harry, Nancy, and Barney touch is tainted. For that matter about 90% of government is tainted.

CHANGE WE CAN BELEIVE IN

AMERICA - OUR TIME HAS COME

VOTE FOR ME AND CLEAN UP WASHINGTON -(better clean up Illinois first]

[rafterman1]

===By the way, just who created the "Office of the President Elect?" I can''''t seem to find the "Office" provided for anywhere in the Constitution.===
Posted by Logansprings

It was created by the Presidential Transition Act of 1963.

[rafterman1]

===What you''''re saying is that they should give Burris the senate seat because he''''s black? Shouldn''''t it be because he''''s the right man for the job? We just elected a black man not because of his color, but because he is the best and the brightest America had to offer.===
Posted by nycsense

You have to understand, if they seated him, LackofPerception5 would have then blasted Dems for allowing a tainted Senator to sit.

[logansprings]

As an Independent, I can appreciate anyone''s disdain for Republican politics, but one must also remember the influence of the Clintons, the number of judges appointed by President Clinton, and the willingness of a majority of Democrats to go along with whatever the Republicans decided to do.

In reality, a majority of the Democrats in Congress for the last 16 years (at least) have been just as spineless and pork-barrel minded as the Republicans. They just come in a different style of package.

But, we are all about to learn that reality as the Obama regime comes more and more under the media and public spotlight.

[jn122736]

Too bad that your granson can''''''''t teach you instead of you teaching him. He would do a better job.
Posted by keystonebull at 01:01 PM : Jan 06, 2009

Hey, I think someone is here besides me and SND(x).

Posted by txgrouch2008 at 01:03 PM : Jan 06, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yes, and is it not truly amazing how so many Bush/republican apologists still have the gall to criticize ANYONE after the past 8 years?

[creeper00]

Great start, Dems.

Since there was no full vote of the Senate, it''s obvious that Burris'' rejection was the decision of Harry Reid. Who wants to wager he''s not carrying out Obama''s orders? Five''ll get you ten Obama''s behind this.

At this rate they''re going to need a whole fleet of buses.

[alanw1077]

White democrats blocking a black man from realizing his dreams and keeping him from his job.
Just another case of "The Man" keeping the black man down.
This is fun.

[alanw1077]

ConDumbistan, poor man. Just another day when ConDumbistan is going without his meds. Guess those high prices are having an effect.

[logansprings]

===What you''''''''re saying is that they should give Burris the senate seat because he''''''''s black? Shouldn''''''''t it be because he''''''''s the right man for the job? We just elected a black man not because of his color, but because he is the best and the brightest America had to offer.===
Posted by nycsense

What is it that people do not understand about race? Barack Obama is biracial, not black. While Obama may claim to be "black" or "African-American," being the son of a white mother from Wichita, Kansas, he is just as "white" as he is "black."

What Obama or the swooning Obamabots choose to portray his heritage is irrelevant to the truth.

Obama is biracial.

[rafterman1]

Posted by keystonebull

I really don''t give a *** about Chicago. How much of that is Obama responsible for? Guilt by association does not count. Sorry.

[lalabradle]

Black people are justified in the race blame. This is 2009 and for the last 44 presidents not one of you can tell us that only a white man qualified to be president. Prejudices in America are very much alive. It''s really a shame that people other than Blacks refuse to see it. It''s understandable though because if you are not Black and it does not directly effect you, you pretend that it does not exist. America is one of the most prejudice and race oriented countries in the world.